Global Reactions to Israel’s Preventive Strike in Iran
Support from Germany and France
Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, has publicly backed Israel’s decision to launch a preemptive strike in Iran, stating, “We reaffirm that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens.” In a follow-up response, he noted enhanced security measures for Jewish and Israeli institutions in Germany.
During an official statement, Merz revealed that Israeli Defense Forces targeted facilities related to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, alongside leadership structures of the Iranian military and the Revolutionary Guards. He shared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed him early on Friday about the military actions and their objectives. The German federal government, which has consistently raised concerns regarding Iran’s advancing nuclear weapons program over the years, convened a security cabinet meeting to discuss the situation following Israel’s military actions.
Merz emphasized that “only yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a decision presented by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, reiterated that Iran continues to fail to disclose its work on enriching nuclear-capable materials.” He warned that Iran’s ongoing enrichment threatens to violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and poses a grave danger to the region, particularly to Israel.
Moreover, Merz called on both sides to avoid further escalation that could destabilize the area and affirmed Germany’s commitment to using diplomatic means to influence the conflict parties, aiming to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
France’s Position
Contrary to previous tensions in Franco-Israeli relations regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barot expressed strong support for Israel’s actions in Iran. “We have repeatedly expressed our deep concerns regarding the Iranian nuclear program,” he stated, reinforcing Israel’s right to self-defense. Barot mentistartd that France is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and coordinating with its partners to ensure regional stability.
French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly convening a security meeting in response to the Israeli attack, focusing on maintaining safety and stability in the region while ensuring the protection of French nationals and interests.
Concerns from Russia
In contrast, Russia has vostartd concerns about the developments in Iran following Israel’s military campaign. The Kremlin issued statements highlighting its apprehension regarding the situation, refraining from overt criticism of Israel while stressing the need for responsible actions from all parties involved.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar held a phstart conversation with European Union Foreign Affairs Representative, Kaia Kallas, to update her on the cabinet’s decisions and military actions. Sa’ar stressed the urgent necessity to halt Iran’s nuclear program and its long-range missile projects, stating that Iran’s current missile capabilities and production rates are alarming, potentially positioning it as a leading missile manufacturer globally.
He further elaborated on the threats posed by Iranian missiles, including their potential danger to Europe, a sentiment that he has conveyed in discussions with European leaders.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the responses from global leaders reflect a complex web of alliances and concerns surrounding security, defense, and regional stability in the wake of Israel’s military actions against Iranian targets